38 comments:

Lisa-So often, I get the question - "How did you know you wanted to be an artist" - My answer is always simple. I knew I wanted to be an artist because there is always such joy in creating. Part of my motivation stemmed from supportive and loving parents who always love me. I think love has a lot to do with it, whatever one does.pve

What a beautiful post, Lisa...The last couple of months have been very creatively satisfying for me..doing things I never thought I'd do..and I totally agree..nothing give more joy than seeing your creation come to life..It is the most amazing sensation..I hope to share it all with the world pretty soon!! much love..xx meenal

My creativity would be boosted if my family took more naps and i took fewer! I'm all set to have a bash at printing on fabric. Just having a wee bit of a pre-trying-something-ive-not-done-before procrastinate. Suspect this post will be just the nudge i need...

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, sometimes I believe you listen to my thoughts! I currently carry the burden of being the family breadwinner and while I’m fairly adept and rather successful at my career, it doesn’t fulfill me creatively. I don’t get that heart flutter which comes unsolicited when I write, which is why I’ve decided to finally buckle down and write a novel. I am a storyteller and have been since a child. Whether or not I ever walk into a bookstore and see it on the shelf is inconsequential. It’s the process and the release of all the thoughts in my head onto paper. That and I have this romantic notion of an artistic life – which far surpasses that of a wage slave.

I love this post, Lisa. It is so encouraging and inspirational. I've been thinking a lot about this topic recently, and sometimes wonder what in the world I am waiting for. Just do it! Do you remember the book "The Artist's Way"? I am going to pull my copy off the book shelf and it just may get me started. Thanks again for such a powerful and beautiful message.xx Sunday

Hey Lisa, I've been meaning to thank you for the info on the vintage photo link. I was thrilled although no purchases were made I was on it looking for way longer then I should have. Thanks it was a great lead! Kevin

Such true words. My husband always tells me that I shine the most when I am busily happily creating anything. And it feels so good!!Need to stop and get back into the right path more often. Thanks for the reminder.

Hello. It's been a long time but I'm so delighted to see your thought-provoking post about creativity. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom.

Oh how I adore your snippet about Balzac. His portrait painting reminded me of a Franciscan monk. But then writing is a vocation - a higher calling. I think I can understand why he would prefer writing so late in the night because we are closer to the unconscious mind.

Any kind of creativity is deeply comforting and nourishing to our soul. In the world of text messages and mobile phone, it would be a great pity if we place our creativity as our low priority. Our world would be vastly impoverished.

I remember reading something about Chekhov a couple of years ago. In the late stage in life, Chekhov apparently said: "My country house is full of people, they never leave me alone; if only they would go away I could be a good writer".

Wishing you many happiness and creativity in an abundant way you have brought into our sphere.

Reading this post reminded me how often people will ask me where I get my ideas for such and such...and I've always been at loss for words. When I think of creativity I think of a deep well of joyful colors and sensations all whirling about inside me, just waiting for that perfect "ah-ha" moment. Then I'm off and running. When I saw your photo with the wildflowers, it said everything. Utter Joy. That's the sensation of losing yourself in a creative endeavor. What a great idea to encourage others...Leslie (aka Gwen Moss blog)

I began knitting and embroidery at age 4 - under the tutelage of my grandmother, who designed knitwear. Later art classes and now I paint every day or do something art related.One of my art partners quotes "if you start it - it will get finished" I believe this is what Lady Astor said to Winston Churchill when she saw him staring at a blank canvas for hours and he said he was having a hard time getting started. She took the paint brush from his hand and painted a line and said""there it is started, now finish it"

Fabulous post! I think we all need to go back to the mindset we had when we were kids - we thought we could do anything (even fly!) and we tried to do anything (even fly!) without worrying about failing or looking silly or what other people would think of us. We just did it. Not always successfully, but hey, that's just part of the learning process :-)

Agreed. Always amazed at people who are satisfied with buying something rather than creating. Of course there are limits; I'll rely on professionals to "make" my next car, for instance, but the joy I've got from, say, making my own slipcovers (and adding piping!) has been tremendous.

Thank you for this post and the beautiful marriage ofthoughts and images. Years ago when I was an editora LIFE magazine. I liked to do what we called the picture story. I always chose abstract subjects like"Hitting the Glass Ceiling" and my mostly maleeditors were puzzled and disbelieving. Pick something concrete that you can show--like the birth of a butterfly,they'd tell me. But then the photographer would layher frames on the light table and there it was: a narrative that depicted the hard to depict. Yourphoto essays do that very same thing so imaginatively. I love them and your inventive, creative spirt.

I never feel more myself than when I've spent time creating, whether it be writing, art, gardening, of cooking...it's such a joy and such a necessity for balancing the spirit.I just spent the last few weeks creating an art camp for kids, and we just finished the first one yesterday. Seeing the joy these little ones have in creating their own masterpieces is unbelievable thrilling...and worth evey second of creative crazyness that leads up to it all!I have three more camps to go Lisa, and this was the most perfect post to read as food for continued creative nourishment...thank you!! :)

Oh Lisa,I can't stay quiet anymore. I have followed you and wanted to write comments and never have. Why? I felt I wanted something to give back before I added to the mix. I just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your spirit and how much you give to "us". I've been thinking about getting back into the blogosphere and I may soon. I feel I have a compatriot out there and just wanted to send my blessings.:) Maureen

A truly motivational and life changing book "ONE BOOK FOR LIFE SUCCESS" .The writer has described in Plain English with lot of examples which is easy to understand...For MorePlease watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biORjS8ngv0